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twinsfan -> RE: Former Twins News (7/3/2019 8:51:57 AM)
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This is interesting.
Ramos’ juggling act ended a nine-pitch at-bat for Gardner, who fouled off three consecutive 3-2 pitches as rain began falling at Citi Field. With the potential tying run on base, Mets closer Edwin Díaz opted for a third straight fastball against Gardner, who again fouled it back -- though this time straight back, toward Ramos’ mitt.
When ball hit leather, it became possible for Ramos to turn it into a foul tip, which the MLB rulebook defines as “a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught.” Ramos just had to complete the catch.
“It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play,” the rulebook continues. “It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand.”
In other words, if the ball had ricocheted off Ramos’ chest protector into his glove, the game would not have ended. Because it hit his glove, then his hand, then his glove once again, it became strike three once Ramos secured it. Gardner, appreciating the difficulty of the play, gave Ramos a pat on the shoulder as he turned to walk off the field.
“That was instinct,” Ramos said. “As soon as he fouled off the ball and it hit my glove, I just turned around and the ball was close to me. I was trying to catch it with my hand, my glove, and finally did it.”
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